MANILA, Philippines — Filipino troops and their counterparts from allied countries launched on Tuesday the “Kamandag” annual joint naval exercises to help them “respond to any crisis.”
Kamandag, an acronym in Filipino for “cooperation of the warriors of the sea,” involves 2,351 troops from the Philippines, United States, Japan, South Korea, Australia and the United Kingdom, France, Thailand and Indonesia will participate in the exercises as observers.
“Kamandag is more than just defense. It is about building trust, fostering cooperation, and reinforcing the partnerships that allow us to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific,” Philippine Marine Corps commandant Maj. Gen. Arturo Rojas said during the opening ceremony in Taguig City.
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The joint naval exercises will be held in key areas in the country such as Batanes, the northernmost Philippine province nearest Taiwan, and Palawan, the island province facing the West Philippine Sea.
According to Rojas, Kamandag shows the “deep bond between our nations and the collective will to safeguard peace and stability in the region.”
He said the involvement of allied nations underscored “the growing recognition that the security of the Indo-Pacific is not the responsibility of one or two countries, but a collective effort.”
“This exercise, with its focus on interoperability, ensures that our forces are not just capable of working together, but are highly effective when the call comes,” he said.
Col. Stuart Glenn, commanding officer of the US Marine Rotational Force Southeast Asia, said the naval exercise was a testament to the “enduring and ironclad alliance our nation shared,” referring to Manila and Washington.
“We will enhance our interoperability and strengthen our collective defense and our personal friendships. Through our efforts, we reaffirm our mutual commitment to regional security as we face the ever-evolving security environment that threatens the free and open Indo-Pacific,” Glenn said.
In the capital town of Basco and in Itbayat island in Batanes, the troops will conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster response exercises and the “integrated partnered planning for the reception of displaced OFWs (overseas Filipino workers).”